It is the annual meeting place for the shipping industry under sail: the Peter Gast Shipping Regatta. At the 37th edition, which took place at the weekend, a wide variety of ship types were represented, from the 65-foot racing yacht "Milan" and the winning yacht of the Volvo Ocean Race 2002 "Illbruck" to the beautiful classics "Senta", "Athena", "Fleur de Mer" and "Peter von Seestermühe", as well as numerous cruisers/racers.
In light winds, the starting signal for the first starting group was given punctually at nine o'clock, in proper style from the historic Danish navy cruiser "Lyra". In bright sunshine, the yachts made their way to the first mark under code zero or large genoa. Unfortunately, the wind died during the course of the day, so the race committee decided to shorten the course. But that didn't help either, only the big yachts made it to the finish within the time limit.
In the end, the "Milan" took the line honours, the second fastest ship was the "Illbruck" followed by the "Haspa Hamburg". In terms of yardstick, the "Illbruck" came first, followed by the "Nathurn VI" and the "Peppermint" (all group results at the end of the article).
The traditional walk of the crews through Ærøskøbing was followed by the festive evening event in the marquee at the harbour. In his welcoming speech, Dieter Gast, Managing Director of Peter Gast Shipping, emphasised the need for the maritime industry to work together in a difficult market environment. Among other things, he cited the trade disputes between the USA and China and new environmental protection regulations as the biggest challenges currently facing the shipping industry.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation by professional sailor Robert Stanjek, skipper of Offshore Team Germany. With thrilling pictures from this year's Rolex Fastnet Race, he gave the audience an exciting insight into offshore sailing on an Imoca 60.
Further information and impressions of the 37th regatta are available at here.
The results of the individual classes at a glance:
Class 1 classic car
1st Senta
2. athena
3. fleur de mer
Class 2 Yardstick >95
1. audax
2. NAendlich
3. britho
Class 3 Yardstick 93-95
1st Alexa
2. anakena
Class 4 Yardstick 89-92
1. jabalina
2 May Britt
3. vertigo
Class 5 Yardstick 85-88
1st Brunella
2. xeremonia
3 Anne Bonny
Class 6 ORC-Club C
1st mermaid
2. cara
3. timantti
Class 7 Yardstick <85
1. illbruck
2. nathurn VI
3. peppermint
Class 8 ORC-Club B
1. inspire
2. future IV
3. dockenhuden
Class 9 ORC-Club A
1st Milan
2 Haspa Hamburg
3rd Chrila
All according to time sailed
1st Milan
2. illbruck
3 Haspa Hamburg
Yardstick above all
1. illbruck
2. nathurn VI
3. peppermint
Pascal Schürmann
Editor YACHT
